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The Library

Forty Centuries of Christian Writing

1577 works catalogued century by century, from the literature the Bible was written among to the present — each with a note on what it is, why it lasted, and where to read it.

1601–1700

The Seventeenth Century

3 works

1640

Latin

Augustinus

Cornelius Jansen · 1585–1638

A three-volume reconstruction of Augustine's teaching on grace, arguing that fallen humanity cannot resist either concupiscence or grace without divine determination.

Catholic (Jansenist) · Theology

1643

French

On Frequent Communion

Antoine Arnauld · 1612–1694

An argument that communion should be approached only after real penitence, against confessors who admitted penitents again the same week.

Catholic (Jansenist) · Theology

1656–1657

French

The Provincial Letters

Blaise Pascal · 1623–1662

Eighteen anonymous letters ridiculing Jesuit casuistry by quoting it at length, on grace, probable opinions, and how to kill a man without breaking a commandment.

Catholic (Jansenist) · Letters